The star­tling res­ig­na­tion of Pope Bene­dict XVI (nee Joseph Ratzinger) brings to mind a num­ber of considerations. Ratzinger was some­thing of a caretaker, charged with sus­tain­ing the Opus-Dei style reac­tion grip­ping the Vat­i­can and keep­ing the lid on poten­tially dam­ag­ing inquiries.. He took office with the Holy See engulfed in scan­dal and inquiry, includ­ing the bur­geon­ing priest molesta­tion inves­ti­ga­tions, renewed inquiries into money laun­der­ing by the Vat­i­can Bank and inquiries con­cern­ing the Vatican’s behav­ior dur­ing and after World War II. Might some of those issues overwhelmed his papacy, forcing the first Papal resignation in history?

We’ve posted several times in connection with the resignation of Benedict XVI. Media speculation has centered on a report submitted to Ratzinger/Benedict detailing blackmail of a powerful “Velvet Mafia” of gay prelates inside the Vatican. That scandal appears to be overlapping some of the inquiries into the Vatican finances. Apparently blackmailed by outsiders over their extensive and relatively visible liaisons, the “Velvet Mafia” appears to have had dealings with the Vatican bank–long a focus of intrigue and covert fascist machinations.

A caretaker Pope, Benedict XVI presided over numerous inquiries into Vatican malfeasance. His resignation raises the question as to what will follow. Steeped in the Vatican’s long-standing relationship with fascism, the outgoing Pope presided over a whitewash of Pius XII’s involvement with the Third Reich and a blunting of inquiries into the molestation scandals unfolding around the world.